Israel: Low Chance of Palestinian Uprising in '10

JERUSALEM — The chances of a new Palestinian uprising erupting in 2010 are low, barring a dramatic event like an attack on Muslim holy places, the head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

A change in Palestinian leadership or large-scale release of Hamas prisoners into the Israeli occupied West Bank could also destabilise the region, Yuval Diskin told the parliamentary foreign affairs and defence committee, according to a senior official at the closed-door meeting.

"The chances of a third intifada (uprising) in 2010 are low," Diskin reportedly said. "But if there are dramatic events like an attack on the Temple Mount (the Al-Aqsa mosque compound), arson attacks on mosques or similar things, it could inflame the situation or lead to protests."

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound known to Muslims as Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as the Temple Mount has been a frequent flashpoint.

In September 2000, the second Palestinian uprising erupted after Ariel Sharon, a rightwing politician who went on to become Israel's prime minister, visited the site.

"Looking beyond 2010, when and if (Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas) is replaced by another leader like (Marwan) Barghuti, and if many Hamas prisoners are released into the West Bank where they can rebuild the terror infrastructure ... it could encourage the region to return to terror activities," Diskin was quoted as saying.